Phone-type cable question

[Denholm]

Hello there,

I have worked on this setup for some time pulling a decent 70-80 Kbps out of the line. Recently though I was feeling the need, the need for speed. So I figured that we were losing about 630 Kbps in our 100 foot long phone line which runs from the phone jack to our surge protector to our DSL modem. Now I recall that every 50 feet of line the speed of the signal degrades, or something to that effect. I also know that you can insert something every 50 feet to keep that signal fresh. The only problem I'm having is figuring out the name of that device.

So, my question. What is the name of the device used to "refresh and rejuvenate" the strength and speed of the signal which is inserted every 50 feet of phone line? Also - if you have used them - what is the brand you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[633DH98]

Repeater.

[Fulmar]

Repeater.

The is correct.  However, where to get one is the next question.  I couldn't find one to buy via googling other than a company out of England, but you had to call them to see what they had available.

I would call your phone company and see if they offer any.

[Auger]

This may seem like an obvious question that you have already ruled out, but can't you move the DSL modem closer to the phone jack and put in an Ethernet link from there to the router/firewall?  Ethernet gets repeated at every switch, and can handle 100 feet with no problem.  Or is the DSL modem also the switch/router/firewall?

[Denholm]

Well, currently our computers along with the DSL modem are in what was once the dining room. There are no phone jacks here and the closest one is in our Kitchen. So we have a 100FT cable running along the bottom of counters, behind the refrigerator, and into the dining room where it enters the surge protector and then the DSL modem.

I was thinking about moving the DSL modem closer, there are only two problems:

1. Moving the DSL modem into the kitchen would not fit the decor.
2. We don't have the room to run two 50-100 FT CAT5 cables down the side of our counters, behind the refrigerator, then into the computers.

That is why I was asking for the name of the repeaters. So I will obviously ask the phone company if they have any.

Thank you so much for the assistance already provided.

[Ghosth]

Whats the next closest phone jack?

I'm sure there must be someplace you could put that modem where it would be a lot closer. Like on top of the fridge, or behind a breadbox, etc.

Run a single lan cord to the room where your computers are. Then go with a simple 5 port switch (hub).
That would let all computers that plug into the hub access the modem.

Also instead of going around the counters going up into the ceiling or down into the floor space might be a better answer. Lets you get it out of sight and possibly a more direct run, shorter distance.

I used to run a lan cable down to my daughters basement room. Opposite corners of the house and down one floor.
Took 75' of cable to get there, and I had no problems with it at all.

The other option of course would be to go wireless, but I can't say I'm a big fan of it.
However some people seem to get along fine with it.

[Auger]

I was thinking about moving the DSL modem closer, there are only two problems:

1. Moving the DSL modem into the kitchen would not fit the decor.
2. We don't have the room to run two 50-100 FT CAT5 cables down the side of our counters, behind the refrigerator, then into the computers.

Not fitting the decor can be addressed with an appliance cover of some type.  Or put it in the cupboard.  Or make a bracket and mount it under a cupboard.

Only one 50-100 foot Cat5 cable is required.  It plugs into a hub/switch in the dining room, which the PCs also plug into.

[715]

If there are thousands of feet of twisted pair between your house and the nearest phone company facility (can't remember what they are called) then why would and extra 100 ft inside your house make any difference?  I guess I don't understand how DSL works?  I thought a hard wired phone line was just that- a separate piece of twisted pair line that runs all the way to the phone companies local office.

[The Fugitive]

If there are thousands of feet of twisted pair between your house and the nearest phone company facility (can't remember what they are called) then why would and extra 100 ft inside your house make any difference?  I guess I don't understand how DSL works?  I thought a hard wired phone line was just that- a separate piece of twisted pair line that runs all the way to the phone companies local office.

"I thought a hard wired phone line was just that- a separate piece of twisted pair line that runs all the way to the phone companies local office."... with repeater stations every now and then to help keep the signal strong.

[Denholm]

...Also instead of going around the counters going up into the ceiling or down into the floor space might be a better answer. Lets you get it out of sight and possibly a more direct run, shorter distance.

I used to run a lan cable down to my daughters basement room. Opposite corners of the house and down one floor.
Took 75' of cable to get there, and I had no problems with it at all...

I would LOVE to do this. Of course the problem is that my Father owns the house, and I don't. Obviously he's fine with the speed of the Internet, so he wouldn't want to mess with it.

I do appreciate the suggestions though and will take a few into consideration. Thanks again for the responses!

[Denholm]

Alright, I just bought our family two new surge protectors with phone-line protection. One of the two will be used to place near our toaster (oh the irony) to protect the phone line. From there it will run about 30 feet to the new location of our DSL Modem. From the modem the CAT 5 cables will run to the computers. This should replace the need for a repeater.

Thanks for the simple solution guys.

[Denholm]

Alright,

So I bought all the supplies needed to move the DSL modem closer to the phone jack. Today I finally get it all hooked up so that the modem is on a 25FT Phone cable running towards the jack where it plugs into the DSL filter, into the surge-protector, and into the jack. Now one of my computers is on a 50FT Cat5e cable, the other on a 20FT Cat5e cable. The only difference between speeds when I was on the 100FT cable and now, 2 Kbps. That's right, I went from 75-80 Kbps to a guaranteed 82 Kbps out of 650-700 Kbps.

Any other suggestions?

[Auger]

Check the wall jack the DSL modem plugs into.  Make sure there is no dust|grit|corrosion on any of the little wires in there.  If that doesn't fix it, you may want to call the phone company and have someone test the line.  If it's an older house the wires from the outside of your house that run to their junction box could be bad. 

[Denholm]

I'd like to run this past you guys before I run off and buy another 50FT CAT5e cable.

The AT&T support person I was talking to figures the problem lies with the CAT5 cables running behind my refrigerator. He claims the refrigerator causes EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and to reverse it I need to move the modem and the cables 2 or more feet away from the refrigerator. I'm about to order another cable to do this, but before I do. Does this sound right to you?

[BaldEagl]

How fast is that DSL line supposed to be?  I have cable and I only get about 120 kps (on a good day).  DSL is slower than cable.  It sounds to me like you're already getting what you should out of it.  Remember, 56K dial-up's probably only ~5kps.